Toroidal coil winding machine

ABSTRACT

Machine for winding wire onto a toroidal core by rotating a wire carrying shuttle interlinked with said core. A drive motor rotates the shuttle in a transmission terminating in peripheral shuttle driving and supporting roller means. The motor also drives through a variable speed transmission to a core holder which includes a pair of resiliently biased, pivoted arms with drive roller journalled thereon to support and index said core in timed relation with the shuttle rotations. An actuating lever is connected to said core support arms to effect release of the core from its holder. The shuttle support has suitable linkage to separate the ends thereof to permit removal of the core from the shuttle.

United States Patent Loturco [451 June 13, 1972 [54] TOROIDAL COIL WINDING MACHINE 2,726,817 12/1955 Barrows... ..242/4 2,923,485 2/1960 Fordeek .....242/4 3,206,130 9/1965 De Kraker et al. 242/4 3,383,059 5/1968 Fahrbach ..242/4 Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT Machine for winding wire onto a toroidal core by rotating a wire carrying shuttle interlinked with said core. A drive motor rotates the shuttle in a transmission temiinating in peripheral shuttle driving and supporting roller means. The motor also drives through a variable speed transmission to a core holder which includes a pair of resiliently biased, pivoted arms with drive roller joumalled thereon to support and index said core in timed relation with the shuttle rotations. An actuating lever is connected to said core support arms to effect release of the core from its holder. The shuttle support has suitable linkage to separate the ends thereof to permit removal of the core from the shuttle.

18Claims, ZUDraWingFIgures PATENTEDJUH 13 rare SHEET 2 [IF 9 PATENTEDJUH 13 m2 SHEET 5 BF 9 PATENTED N 1 "1 2 3,669,365

SHEEI a or 9 ronomu. con. wmnrnc MACHINE PRIOR ART AND PROBLEMS I-Ieretofore, the known toroidal coil winding machines comprised a relatively bulky, costly and complex peice of equipment which were diificult and confusing to operate, and consequently required an operated of considerable experience to operate. Also the known toroidal coil winding machines could only accommodate a particular size and kind of shuttle and a particular size core. For this reason it was heretofore necessary to provide a given machine with a number of different shuttle holders adapted to accommodate a particular kind of shuttle and a number of different core holders for accommodating the varying core sizes. Consequently the prior machines lack the desired versatility to accommodate different kinds of shuttles and varying size of core holders.

The known coil winders were also difficult to operate as such winders did not have run out indicators which would read from zero on up. Generally the known machines include preset run down indicators which rendered it difficult for an operator to determine the number of turns placed on a core at any given instant.

OBJECT It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved, compact, readily portable toroidal coil winding machine.

Another object is to provide toroidal coil winding machines having a shuttle holder adapted to accommodate varying kinds and sizes of shuttles and a core holder adjustable for accommodating varying size cores.

Another object is to provide a toroidal coil winding machine having operatively associated therewith run out indicators to indicate at any instant the footage of a strand of material wound out on a shuttle during a shuttle loading operation, or in the alternatives the number of turns placed onto a core at any given instant during a core winding operation.

Another object is to provide a toroidal coil winding machine with an improved shuttle holder or head which can accommodate either a split two-part shuttle or a spring ring split shuttle.

Another object is to provide a toroidal coil winding machine with a core driver and holder which is adjustable to hold and drive a number of varying size cores within a given range of sizes.

Another object is to provide a toroidal coil winding machine with a floating drive for the core drive and holder for adjustably positioning the core relative to the shuttle.

Another object is to provide a toroidal coil winding machine constructed and arranged so as to render the operating mechanism thereof readily accessible for easy maintenance, repair and/or replacement of parts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of the invention are attained by a toroidal coil winding machine comprising a housing constructed so as to render the operating components of the machine readily accessible. The housing is provided with an opening in the front for accommodating a shuttle head or holder which is constructed and arranged so as to releasably accommodate difi'erent types or kinds of shuttles. A core driver and holder is mounted on a floating drive operatively connected to the housing whereby the core holder may be adjustably positioned relative to the shuttle during a core winding operation. Control means in the form of operating levers are suitably linked to the floating drive of the core driver and holder to control the movement to the core driver and holder relative to the shuttle. The core driver and holder is provided with a quick release means for adjustably positioning a core in interlinking relationship with the shuttle.

The drive for the shuttle and core drive and holder comprises a motor operatively connected in driving relationship to a shuttle drive means, arranged to operate on the shuttle to cffectthedrivethereoflandtoav'ariablespeedtmnsm'mion means to control the drive of the core driver and holder. The input shah of the variable speed on is operatively connected in driving relationship to the output'spindle of the motor, and the output shafi of the transmission means is connected in driving relationship to the floating drive of the core driver and holder. Means are operatively connected to the transmission means to reverse the rotation of the transmission output shaft. A means is also operatively connected to the transmission means to control and set the speed thereof.

The machine includes a preset footage indicator to indicate the footage of a strand material to :be loaded on the shuttle which is manually preset. A run-out counter or indicator is operatively connected to the preset: footage indicator to indicate at any instant the amount of'footage loaded onto the shuttle. The arrangement is such that when the counter or run off indicator reaches the valve corresponding to the preset indicator the winding of the strand upon the shuttle ceases.

A turn indicator is provided to indicate the number of turns of strand wound on the core which is presetable to a given number of turns. The run ofl counter is further operatively connected to count oil the number of turns wound upon the core so that at any given instant the operator is appraised of the turns wound onto the core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. I is a front elevation view of the toroidal coil winding machine with the shuttle head and core holder removed.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the coil winding machine illustrating the drive mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the machine.

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of the machine having portions thereof broken away.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 on FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a detail plan view of the core driver and holder.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the core driver and holder.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 on FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a detailed front elevation view of the control levers for controlling the movement of the floating core holder drive.

FIG. 10 is a detailed bottom view of the linkage connection of the control levers to the floating drive of the core holder.

FIG. II is a sectional side view taken along line 11-11 on FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a sectional side view taken along line I2-I2 on FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a detail from view of the reversing means of the variable transmission.

FIG. I4 is a side elevation view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of FIG. I4.

FIG. I6 is a detailed side elevation view of the shuttle head including the shuttle holder and a two-piece shuttle illustrated in the unlocked position.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the shuttle head to illustrate relative lateral movement between the head portion in an unlocked position.

FIG. 18 is an end view of the shuttle head taken along line 18-18 on FIG. 3A.

FIG. I9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical-mechanical circuitry.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein a toriodal coil winding machine 20 comprising a housing 21 defined by opposed side wall panels, 21A, ZIB, interconnected by a top panel ZIC, a bottom panel 21D, and a rear panel ZIE extending between the top and bottom panels 21C and ZID and the opposed side wall panels 21A, ZIB. The side wall panels 21A, 21B are preferrably defined as a substantially L-shaped panel, see FIG. 3A, wherein a lower front panel portion 22, is interconnected between the lower front ends of the side wall panels 21A, ZIB. The upper front wall panel portion 23 includes an apron portion 23A which is inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal and an interconnected upperly extending vertical portion 238. The leading edge of the apron portion 23A is pivotally connected to the lower front panel 22 by a hinge 24. The upper edge of the vertical portion 238 of the front panel 23 is suitable secured to the top wall 21C by a suitable fastening means. The upper front panel 23, which is hingedly connected, is thus arranged to be readily pivoted about its hinge pivot 24 to expose the internal working mechanism of the machine. Thus the working mechanisms are rendered readily accessible to facilitate maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the component parts to be hereinafier described.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the upper front wall panel 238 is provided with a central opening 25 which extends partly in the apron portion 23A and partly in the vertical portion 238 of front panel 23. A mounting plate 26 is connected to the under surface of the apron portion 23A below the portion of opening 25 therein. A shuttle means 27, adapted to be received in the front opening 25, of the upper front panel 23 is secured to the mounting plate 26 by suitable fasteners 28. such as bolts or the like. The shuttle means 27 comprises a shuttle holder 29 comprising of an upper holder portion 29A and a lower holder portion 298. The upper and lower holder portions 29A, 29B of the shuttle means 27 are each defined by an open frame which includes opposed frame members 30, 3], interconnected by transversely extending reinforcing sections or webs 32.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 16-18, the lower shuttle portion 298 has secured to the rear end thereof a bracket 33 to which there is secured an abuttrnent or stop means 34 to limit the pivoting movement of the upper shuttle holder portion 29A relative to the lower shuttle holder portion 29B as will be hereinafter described. The bracket 33 is provided with a vertically extending bore 35 for receiving the spindle or stem 36 of a yoke member 37 which is adapted to be rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the bracket 33. As best seen in FIG. 18 the yoke 37 is bifurcated for receiving therebetween a lug 38 of a complementary bracket 39 connected to the upper shuttle head portion 29A. A transversely extending pivot pin 40 pivotally secured to the upper holder portion 29A for movement about a horizontal axis relative to the lower holder portion 293. Accordingly as seen in FIGS. 16 and I? the rotatably journalled yoke 37 and pivotal connection 40 described enables the upper shuttle portion 29A to be pivoted vertically relative to the lower portion 298 about the horizontal axis of pivot pin 40, and also in a lateral direction about the vertical axis of the yoke stem 36.

To limit the relative movement of the upper shuttle holder portion 29A about the respective axis of rotation, complementary stop means are provided as brackets 33 and 39. Referring to FIGS. 16-18 the complementary stop means includes a member 34 secured to bracket 33 which has a pair of opposed, spaced apart stop abutments 34A, 348, one of which is provided with an intumed flange portion 34C. The complementary stop connected to the upper shutter holder portion 29A comprises a downwardly extending tail 39A connected to bracket 39 which is adapted to be received between the opposed spaced abutments 34A, 34B of member 34. whereby lateral movement of the upper member relative to the lower member is limited by the engagement of the tail portion 39A of bracket 39 with one or the other of the stop abutments, 34A, 348. The tail portion 39A terminata with an intumed flange 398 for limiting rotational movement of holder portion 29A about the horizontal axis of pivot 40 relative to the lower holder portion 298. With the shuttle holder 29, thus described the upper shuttle holder 29A can be readily pivoted relative to the lower shuttle holder 298 about the horizontal axis of pivot 40 and the vertical axis of stem 36.

Connected between the side members 30, 31 of the upper and lower shuttle portion 29A, 298 respectively are a plurality of guide rollers 41 for rotatably supporting between the shut tle holder portions 29A. 298, a circular shuttle 42. Referring more specifically to FIG. 4, the respective guide rollers 41 are each provided with an angular grove 4lA which is adapted to receive in rolling engagement therewith. an extended portion 42A of a rotary shuttle 42. Accordingly the side flange portion 42A of the rotary shuttle is engaged in rolling relationship with rcspective guide rollers 41 of the upper and lower shuttle head portions, 29A, 29B. Rotatably connected between the side members 30. 31 of the lower shuttle portion 298 are a pair of shuttle guide and drive rollers 43 disposed in spaced apart relationship. The shuttle guide and drive rollers 43 include a frictional bearing surface which is disposed in rolling engagement with the shuttle 42. In the operative position, the shuttle guide and drive rollers 43 are also disposed in rolling engagement with a shuttle drive means which comprises a drive roller 44. The shuttle drive roller 44 is rotatably journalled on a bracket 45 suitably secured to the rear wall 215. ofthe housing 21.

As best seen in FIG. 3A the upper and lower shuttle holder portions 29A, 298 have connected thereto secondary guide rollers 46 suitably secured to the respective holders 29A, 298 by an interconnecting link 47 in a manner so that the secondary guide rollers 46 are disposed in rolling engagement with the inner periphery of the circular shuttle 42. In the illustrated form of the invention the circular shuttle 42 comprises a two piece clamp type shuttle. The respective clamp shuttle comprises a ring 42 defined as two half sections 42A, 428 which are suitably mated to define a completed ring in the closed position of the shuttle holder. As best seen in FIG. 4 each section 42A, 42B of the ring are defined as substantially U- shaped in cross section to form a groove 48 for receiving the strand material.

Means are provided for locking and unlocking the respective shuttle holder portions 29A, 29B.ln the locked position the shuttle 42 is maintained in rolling engagement with the guide rollers 41 and the guide and drive rollers 43.

The locking means comprises a reciprocally mounted lock pin 49 carried in shuttle holder 29A which is adapted to be received in an aperture or bore 50 formed in the yoke 37. One end 49A of the lock pin 49 is suitable pivoted to a link 51 which is fulcrumed intermediate the length thereof about pivot 52 on the upper holder portion 29A. The other end of the pivoting link 51 is connected by means of a spring 59 to the side portion of the upper holder 29A to bias the lock pin 49 toward operative position. The lock pin 49 is operated by an actuating handle 54 which is suitably connected to the lock pin lever 51 through a series of connecting links 54A, 54B and 54C, so that when the actuating handle 54 is pivoted to the dotted line position, as viewed in FIG. 3A, the locking pin 49, is disengaged from the bore 50 in yoke 37, thereby permitting the upper portion of the head to be pivoted about the pivot axis of stem 36 and pin 40.

In the event that a two-pieced clamp type shuttle 42 is interposed between the shuttle holder 29A, 298 as illustrated, it will be noted that it is imperative that the split between the shuttle ring sections 42A, 428, be positioned so that the locking shoe 55 connected to link 51 will engage the upper shuttle ring portion 42A above the split. As best seen in FIG. 3A and 16. when the handle 54 is actuated to unlatch the lock pin 49, the locking shoe 55 connected to lever 51 is shifted to engage with ring section 42A of the upper shuttle portion to fixedly secure the upper ring section 42A relative to its holder portion 29A in the opened position.

Cooperatively associated with the shuttle means 27 is a core driver and holder 60 which is suitably mounted in a floating connection 61 on the front of the machine so as to maintain a core 62, about which the strand material is to be wound, in interlocking relationship with the circular shuttle 42. The core floating connection 61 comprises a movable core carrier plate 63 which is connected to the bottom of the mounting plate 24 by means of a suitable pin 64 and slot 64A connection. The mounting plate 26 is provided with an enlarged opening 26A which receives a projecting boa 65 of a core holder member 66. Suitable fasteners 67 secure the core holder member 66 onto the core carrier plate 63 in sandwiching relationship to the mounting plate 26. Because the how 65 is smaller than opening 26A it will be noted that the pin and slot connections 64, 64A will provide for limited movement of the core carrier 63 and 66 relative to the mounting plate 26. The core holder member 66 is provided with an upwardly extending boss 66A provided with a bore 66B extending therethrough for receiving the stem 68 the core driver and holder 60. A set screw 69 threaded into the laterally extended tap opening in the boss 66A releaseably secures the stem 68 of the core holder and driver means in position within bore 668.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, 6, and 7 the core driver and holder means 60 comprises a support plate 70 for supporting the core 62 to be wound. Connected to the core support plate 70 and depending therefrom is a driving spindle 71. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the driving spindle 71 is provided with a square shank or extension 72 which is adapted to extend through the floating connection 61. A gear 73 is suitably connected to the spindle 71, to rotate therewith. Disposed in meshing relationship with the gear 72 to either side thereof are a pair of planetary gears 73A, 738, which are connected about suitable pivots or axis of rotation to the under portion of the supporting plate 70. Pivotally mounted about pivots 74 and 75 to the supporting plate 70 are a pair of opposed arms 76,77. Connected to each of the arms 76 and 77 is a gear 78, 79 which is disposed in meshing relationship to the gears 73A and 738 respectively. Carried on the leading end or the free end of the respective arms 76, 77 is a core drive roller 80, 81 respectively. As seen in FIG. 5 the core drive rollers 80, 81 are disposed in rolling engagement to the core 62 supported on the plate 70 to effect the rotation of the core during a core winding operation. The drive of the core drive rollers 80, 81 is effected by a gear 80A, 81A connected to the axis of drive rollers 80, 81 which are disposed in meshing relationship to a gear train 82, 83 respectively composed of two gears each 82A, 82B, 83A, 83B pivotally mounted and carried on the arms 76, 77. Accordingly, it will be noted that the core driving rollers 80, 81 are respectively driven through a train of gears which in turn are driven by the main gear 73 journalled to the driver spindle 71 as the latter is rotated. Connected to the rear portion of the support plate 70 are spaced guide ways 84-84 for slidably positioning a slide 85 on which there is mounted a bracket 86 for supporting thereon a pair of arms 86A, 868. Each arm 86A, 868 carries thereon an idler roller 87, 88 which are adapted to be with the core. in the illustrated form of the invention idler rollers 87, 88 are each rotatably supported on the end of their respective arms 86A, 86B rendered pivotally adjusted to the bracket 86 about pivot set screws 89 and 90. Accordingly the respective idler rollers 87, 88 may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of different size cores 62 between the drive rollers 80, 8l and idler rollers 87, 88.

To render a core 62 readily releasable from between the drive rollers 80, 81 and the idler rollers 87, 88 to effect the release thereof, a quick release means 91 is operatively connected to the arms 76, 77 supporting the driver rollers 80, 81 and to the slide 85 on which the idler rollers 87, 88 are supported to effect relative movement therebetween a core holding position and a core releasing position. As best seen in FIG. 5 an operating lever 92 is provided with a cam extension 92A which is adapted to cam on the edge of plate 70. The lever 92 and its cam extension is pivotally connected above pivot 92B to a link 93 which is pivoted at one end to the plate 70 about pivot 93A. The link 93 is provided with an elongated slot 938 intermediate the length thereof for receiving a pin 94 depending from the slide 85. Pin 94 is disposed for movement in a bifurcate 95 formed in plate 70. The actuating lever 92 is connected to the cam extension 92A by means of a pin 96 extending through an arcuate slot 97 formed in the actuating handle. A spring means 97 is provided for biasing the actuating lever towards its operative position. One end of the spring 97 is connected to pin 92B and the other end is adjustably secured to an adjusting screw 92C. lnterconnecting links 98 and 99 are provided for operatively connecting the end portions of the respective arms 76, 77 to the slide pan 94v The interconnecting links 98 connecting arm 76 to slide pin 94 comprises a pair of link sections 98A, 988. Link section 98A has one end pivoted to arm 76 at 100 and an intemtediate portion pivoted to link section 9813 by a pin 101 and slot 102 connection. In the illustrated form of the invention a slot 102 is fonned in link section 988 which is adapted to be coincident with a tapped opening form in link section 988 for receiving a set screw 103 for maintaining the respective link section 98A, 988 in adjusted position. The other end a link section 98B is pivoted to slide pin 94.

The interconnecting links 99 interconnecting arm 77 to the slide pin 94 comprises a pair of link sectors 99A, 998. Link sector 99A is pivoted at one end to pivot 104. Link sector 99B is connected to an intermediate portion of link 99A by a pin 105 extending through a slot 106 formed in link 99B whereby the respective link sectors 99A, 9913 may be fixed in adjusted position. The other end of link sector 99B is pivoted to slide pin 94. Accordingly it will be noted that the range or effective displacement of the drive rollers 80,81 and the guide rollers 87, 88 may be varied depending upon the adjustment made between the respective link sector 98A, 98B and 99A, 99B of links 98, 99. With the arrangement described the core holder and driver assembly 60 can be rendered readily removed from the floating connection 61 simply by unscrewing the set screw 69.

A means is provided for effecting the drive of both the shuttle means 27 and the core driver and holder means 60 relative to one another during a shuttle loading operation or a core winding operation. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 3A, the drive means comprises a variable speed motor 110 which is suitably secured to the bottom wall 21D of the housing 21. The motor armature is provided with a spindle 111 which extends to either side of the motor 110. The spindle 111 of the motor is provided with a sprocket or pully 112 about which there is threaded a driving belt 113 to effect rotation of a shuttle drive roller. As shown the shuttle drive roller 44 is rotatably journailed on a bracket 45 secured to the rear wall 21E of the housing 21. The peripheral portion of the shutter drive roller 44 is preferrably provided with resilient non-skid material covering so that when disposed in rolling engagement with the drive rollers 43 of the shuttle means, the shuttle is rotated when the motor 110 is energized. The output end of the motor spindle 111 is also connected in driving relationship with a variable speed transmission means for effecting the drive of the core drive and holder means 60 relative to the shuttle means 27. The drive of the transmission means is effected by an endless belt 1 15A threaded about a second pulley 115 journalled to the output spindle 111 of the motor and a pulley 1 l6 rotatably journalled on the end of a jack shaft 117. The other end of the jack shaft 117 is provided with a pulley 118 about which is threaded a flexible drive or belt 119 for connecting pulley 118 in driving relationship to pulley 120 joumalled to the input shaft 121 of the transmission means 114.

The transmission 114 is a conventional type of transmission which comprises a series of overriding clutches which are independently actuated to drive the output shaft 122 of the transmission 114 in one direction or another. The output shaft 122 of the transmission means 114 has joumalled thereon a pulley 123 which is connected by belt 124 in driving relationship with a pulley 125 of the driver means 126 for effecting the rotation core driver and holder spindle 71.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the driver means 126 for effecting the drive of the core driver and holder 60 is effected by a worm gear 127 suitably joumalled in a supporting bracket and disposed into meshing relationship with a gear 128 connected to the driver member 129. The worm gear 128 journalled on shaft 125A is driven by belt 124 connecting the pulley 125 in driving relationship to the output shaft 122 of the transmission means 114. Thus, whenever the motor 110 is energized, the output shaft 111 thereof will simultaneously effect the drive of the shuttle drive roller 44, and the driving member 129 of the core driver and holder means 60 through the transmission means 114.

To effect driving relationship between the drive member 129 and core driver and holder 60, split coupling 130 is provided therebetween. Essentially this split coupling 130 comprises a connector having projecting land portions disposed on either side thereof at angles normal to each other and which are adapted to respectfully mesh with a complementary groove formed in the driven member 131 and the driver member 129, respectively. The driven member 131 of the core drive is thus rendered free to be moved relative the driver 129 to float the core while at the same time be driven thereby, as will be hereinafter described.

Means are provided for effecting the reversal of the transmission means 114. Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, this is attained by a gear 132 operatively connected to a reversing clutch connected to the output shaft 122 of the transmission means 1 14 and a gear sector 133 disposed in meshing relationship to the reversing gear 132. The gear sector 133 is mounted for movement in one direction or another about a pivot 134. The gear sector 133 is operatively connected to a reciprocally mounted actuating pin 135 receivable in slotted connection 136 formed in the gear sector 133. The pin 135 is reciprocated in one direction or the other by counteracting a pair of solenoids 137, 138. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 the pin 135 is supported in a block 135A connected between the ends of the counteracting plunger 137A, 138A of solenoids 137, 138. The solenoids are actuated by related overriding clutches of a conventional construction.

Thus, each time one solenoid 137, 138 or the other is actuated, the pin 135 will be shifted in one direction or the other, which movement is imparted to the gear section 133 and associated reversing gear to change the direction of rotation of the output shaft 122 accordingly.

To define a neutral position which will prohibit rotation of the output shaft 122 in either direction, a neutrallizing switch means 139 is provided. The switch means 139 comprises a micro-switch which has a feeler arm 140 disposed in the pathway of an actuating earn 141 connected to the gear sector 133. The micro-switch 139 is such as to be instantaneous in its action. For this reason the action of the reversing means is not effective unless the micro-switch is maintained in an actuated position. Accordingly the instantaneous passing of the cam 141 pass the feeler will not effect the reversing. The neutral position is desired to prevent relative rotation of the core or the shuttle during a shuttle loading operation.

If desired means are provided for manually positioning the shuttle facilitating the opening thereof to permit the removal and/or positioning of a core 62 relative thereto. The manual means for positioning the shuttle comprises a hand wheel 143 rotatably journalled on the side of the housing 21, (FIG. 3). The shaft 144 for rotatably mounting the hand wheel 143 has mounted on the other end a pulley 145 which is disposed in driving relationship to the motor spindle 111 by means of an endless belt connection 146.

ln operation it will be noted that whenever the motor 110 is energized the shuttle driver 44 is actuated as is the driver 129 of the core driver and holder means 60.

Means are provided on the front of the housing 21 to adjust the transmission speed of the core driver and holder means 60 accordingly. This is readily effected by an adjusting screw 150 which is threadly connected to an actuating lever 151 for imparting the adjustable speed to the transmission means 114. The end of the adjusting screw 151 is provided with is provided with a worm gear 152 which is adapted to be engaged with an adjusting gear 153 which is suitably connected to a speed control knob 154 in the apron portion 23A of the hous ing 2|. Accordingly it will be noted that in the operative position of the machine, whenever the speed control knob 154 is adjusted to a particular position, the adjustment thereof is transmitted through the control gear 153 and associated meshing wonn 153 connected to the adjusting screw 150, to position the speed control lever 151 of the transmission 114 accordingly. Movement of floating connector 61 in which the core driver and holder means 60 is mounted to effect the position of the core 62 supported thereon with respect to the shuttle is effected by a pair of operating control levers 160. 161 mounted on the apron portion 23A of the housing 21. As seen in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10 one lever is pivotally mounted to the apron portion of the housing for effecting movement of the floating connection 61 for the core holder 60 from side to side. The other lever 161 is pivotally mounted to the apron of the housing to efl'ect displacement of the floating connection 61 of the core holder in a direction from front to rear. Thus it will be noted that by displacement of the respective levers 160, 161, the core holder and drive 60 may be shifted in any direction within the limits of movement of the levers 160, 161. The free ends A, 161A of the respective control levers 160, 161 are operatively interconnected with the floating core connector 61 through a series of interconnecting link assemblies 162, 163 as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The respective linkage assemblies, 162, 163, operatively interconnect the respective control levers 160, 161 to the floating connector 61 so that the latter is free to move in any direction within circular orbit upon operation of the control levers 160, 161. Thus it will be noted that the control levers may be either independently operated to shift the core hold laterally or from front to rear, or by simultaneous movement of the control levers 160, 161, move the core holder 60 in a circular orbit. During a core winding operation, an operator can thus adjust the position of the core 62 relative to the rotating shuttles as may be required.

Link assembly 162 includes a link connector 162A which is pivoted at one end to the control lever 160 and pivoted at its other end to an interconnecting line 162B. Link 1625 is fulcrumed intermediate the length thereof about a pivot 162C connected to a bracket 162D secured to the underside of the apron portion 23A of the housing 21. The other end of link 162B is pivotally connected to a terminal link 162E. Link 162E in turn is pivotally connected to a bracket 164 carried by the floating connector 61. Bracket 164 comprises a pair of spaced apart L-shaped members 164A for receiving therebetween the end portion of the terminal link 1625 pivotally connected thereto at 165.

Linkage assembly 163 includes a link 163A pivotally connected at one end to control lever 161 and at its other end to an interconnecting link 1638. interconnecting link 1638 in turn is pivoted intermediate its length about pivot 163C connected to a bracket 163D secured to the underside of apron 23A. Link 1638 in turn is pivotally connected to a terminal link 163E which is pivoted about pivot 163F extending between bracket members 164A of the floating connector 6|. With linkage assemblies described, the movement of the lever 160 laterally and of lever 161 forwardly or rearwardly is transmitted to the floating core holder accordingly.

The solenoids for controlling the direction of rotation of the core driver and holder means 60 are operatively connected by a suitable circuit to a switch means 166, 167 located on the control or front panel of the housing. By actuating one switch 166 or the other 167 the directional rotation of the output shaft 122 of the transmission means 114 and the core holder 60 driven thereby can be controlled accordingly.

Mounted at the top of the housing 21 is a footage counter means 170 for detennining the footage desired to be wound upon the shuttle. The counter means 170 is mounted on a plate 171 which is removably supported in a guideway 172 mounted at the top of the machine. On the mounting plate 171 are a series of guide rollers 173, 174 about which the strand material or wire to be wound is guided from a source of supply (not shown). The intermediate portion of the strand is looped about a counting wheel 175 of predetermined diameter and from which the strand is directed through suitable tensioning means to the shuttle. Cooperatively associated with the counting wheel is a photo-electric cell for transmitting a suitable signal to a counter means upon each revolution of the counting wheel 175. By nodng the number of revolutions of the counting wheel, the footage of strand material loaded onto the shuttle can be readily determined.

The footage loading device 170 includes a photo-electric device 180 which includes a small lamp and a photo-cell equipped with a suitable lens system. These are placed so that the wire as it is wound onto the shuttle will cut this light path and causes the photocell to produce a pulse which is preamplified as will be hereinafter described.

In accordance with this invention a preset footage indicator 190 is operatively connected in circuit to the footage supply means 170. Accordingly the arrangement is such that the amount or number of feet of strand material desired to be wound upon a particular shuttle is manually preset on the footage indicator 190. Operatively associated in circuit with the preset footage indicator 190 is a run-out indicator I91 which is constructed and arranged to read from zero on up. The arrangement is such that whenever the run-out indicator 19] reaches the reading of the preset footage indicator the motor driving the shuttle is automatically de-energized.

With the shuttle thus loaded with a predetermined amount of material, the end of the strand is then threaded through suitable tensioning means for winding about the core 62 placed in the core holder and driver 60.

To determine the number of turns to be placed upon a particular core the instant apparatus is provided with one or more presetable turn indicators 192, 193, 194, whereby the number of turns to be placed on a core may be manually preset. The run-out indicator 191 is then cleared to read as zero, and during a coil winding operation the run-out indicator 191 is operatively connected to the present turn indicators, I92, I93, 194 whereby the number of turns placed upon the coil can be readily counted off. The arrangement is such that the run-out indicator 191 for indicating the number of turns of strand wound about a core 62 is constructed so as to read from zero on up thereby indicating to an operator at any given instant the number of turns being placed on the core. The operation is such that the motor 110 is de-energized whenever the number of turns placed on the core 62 equals the number of turns established by a particular manual preset indicator.

In certain instances it is desired to superimpose and/or space in side by side relationship a varying number of turns depending upon the particular circuitry in which the desired core being wound is to be used. In such event, the illustrated form of the invention is provided with three preset turn indicators, 192, 193, 194 which will sequentially control the number of turns placed on the core. It will be readily understood that any number of preset turn indicators may be provided to a given apparatus. To determine the number of turns placed on a particular coil a second photo-electric cell 181 is disposed in the path of the strand being wound onto the core so that an impulse is created upon each turn or winding to count off the number ofturns.

FIG. 19 illustrates a schematic diagram of the electricmechanical hook-up of the described machine. As shown a power supply 195 is suitably connected to an AC source of supply, and it delivers the required voltage to the respective operating components.

To effect the loading of the shuttle with the prescribed amount of strand material a photo-electric device 180 is switched into the circuit through the medium of a selector switch 196. The photo-electric device 180 serves to count the footage placed on the shuttle. The photo-electric device 180 generally consists of a small lamp and a photo cell equipped with a suitable lens system. These are placed so that the wire, as it is being wound, cuts the light path and causes the photo cell to produce a pulse which is preamplified in a two-stage preamplifier 197. The amplifier signal or pulse is then fed to a Schmitt trigger stage 198 which functions to block all pulses below a certain height, such as A.C. hum, random light fluctuations or other unwanted pulses. From the trigger circuit the pulses are fed to an output amplifier which actuates a fast acting relay 200 which in turn actuates the electromechanical counting device or run-out indicator 191. The counting device 191 is preferrably a four decade electro-mechanical counter which can display a count up to ten thousand. Also it operates four decades of rotary switches, which are connected to four banks of manually controlled rotary switches. These switches are manually set to the desired number of turns, and these switchs are indicated on the preset indicator 190 or 192, 193, 194 or as schematically illustrated at 201 in FIG. 19. When the number of turns is reached, relay 202 is actuated and held in an actuated position by a set of maintainingcontacts, until released by a reset switch 203. Another set of contacts is used to stop the motor or perform other functions.

Since the momentum of the shuttle tends to continue the rotation of the shuttle after the motor is stopped the accuracy of the count or turns placed on the core can be rendered inaccurate. To prevent this the switches may be set up to read less than the desired number of turns, e.g. 10 less. Also the relay 202 may be equipped with an extra set of contacts, which will switch into the counting circuit a separate electro-mechanical counter of one decade 204. The relay is connected to the speed control 205 to slow the motor speed to a preset speed. As the count continues the extra turns are counted on the single decade counter 204, and when the 10th turn is reached, relay 206 is actuated to bring the motor 110 to a complete stop at exactly the desired number of turns. This completes the particular winding operation, and the operator can then pull the tap" or start the wire on the next coil or continue a subsequent wiring.

It will be noted that this run-out indicator is cumulative and will indicate the total number of turns.

The apparatus described can be readily adapted for the use of punch cards or be tape controlled. in such event small spring loader rods, each adapted to actuate a pair of of contacts are connected in the circuit to replace the switches. A pre-punch card can then be suitably inserted into the machine whereby the switch setting is effected by the spring loaded rods which are permitted to pass through the punched cards.

The operation of the apparatus described is as follows: To load a desired shuttle 42 is positioned in the shuttle holder 29 and the strand thread about the shuttle. The manual preset footage indicator 190 is then set to a desired reading to indicate the desired amount of footage to be wound upon the shuttle 44. With the footage indicator preset, the run-off counter 191 is preset to read zero. The drive motor 1 10 is then energized to operate at a desired speed whereupon the shuttle is rotated to effect the winding of the strand thereon. When the amount of footage set by the footage preset indicator 190 is read on the run-out indicator, the motor is de-energized, thereby indicating that the pre-determined amount of strand material has been wound upon the shuttle. Thereafter depending upon the make-up or construction of the toroidal core, the number of turns in each winding required to be placed on the core is preset on the respective preset indicators 192-194. The run-off counter 191 is then reset to read zero and depending on whether manual or automatic operation is required the selector switch 210 is appropriately set to the desired setting. Also the direction of core rotation is set by actuation switch 166 or 167 accordingly. With the core speed control 154 set to its desired setting and with the selector switch 196 turned to the selected winding, the motor switch 211 is actuated to effect energizing of the drive motor. The drive motor being energized imparts a relative speed to both the shuttle 42 and the core holder 60 to effect the winding operation.

To control the position of the core 62 relative to the shuttle during a winding operation, the control levers 160, 161 are manipulated to effect lateral and transverse positioning of the core 62. When the number of turns in a particular winding has reached the preset number of turns of a selected winding operation, a relay is actuated to de-energize the motor, thereby indicating that the requisite number of turns have been placed in a particular winding on a core.

To effect removal of the core 62 from the shuttle the hand wheel 143 is turned to appropriately position the split of the shuttle so as to enable the upper head portion of the shuttle holder to be unlatched from the lower head portion, and

thereby permitting the core 62 to be removed from interlocking relationships with the shuttle 42.

Release of the core 62 from the core holder 60 is efiected by actuating the operating lever 92 of the core driver and holder means 60 which effects displace the core driver rollers 81 and the core idler rollers 88 from rolling engagement with the core. Accordingly the wire core can then be removed and a new core substituted in lieu thereof on the core holder, whereupon the operation may be repeated.

While the shuttle 42 described and shown comprises a split, clamp type shuttle comprised of two mated half sections, it will be noted that a unitary split ring type shuttle can also be accommodated in the shuttle holder 29 described. Thus an important feature of this invention resides in die provision that the shuttle holder 29 is constructed to accommodate either type of common shuttle construction, i.e. the split change type shuttle or the integral spring split ring type; since the latching and unlatching movement of the shuttle holder components requires the upper holder portion to be first lified vertically to part the split of the shuttle ring and then shift laterally to provide additional clearance to effect removal of the core 62.

What is claimed is:

l. A toroidal coil winding machine comprising:

a housing,

a winding shuttle means including a shuttle holder mounted on said housing, and a shuttle rotatably joumalled on said shuttle holder,

a core driver and holder means mounted on said housing,

said core driver and holder means being adapted to rotatably support a toroidal core in interlinking rotational relationships relative to said shuttle,

drive means for effecting the drive of said shuttle and said core driver and holder means at relative speeds during a core winding operation whereby said core is rotated in pre-determined angular direction and speed relative to said shuttle,

said shuttle holder including:

a lower holder portion and a complementary upper holder portion,

means for pivotally connecting said upper and lower holder portions for limited pivotal movement relative to one another,

means for locking said holder portions against pivotal movement in the operative position thereof,

means for rotatably supporting a substantially circular shuttle therebetween,

and shuttle drive rollers supported on said shuttle holder disposed in driving relationship with said shuttle supported thereon,

and said means for rotatably supporting said shuttle in said shuttle holder includes a guide roller mounted on said shuttle holder for engaging the internal peripheral portion of said shuttle.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises:

a motor having an output spindle, and

a variable speed transmission means operatively interconnected in driving relationship between said output motor spindle and said core driver and holder means to control the direction and rotation of the core supported on said core driver and holder means relative to said shuttle.

3. The invention a defined in claim 2 and including means to reverse the direction of rotation of said core.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said transmission means includes an output shaft operatively connected in driving relationship to said core driver and holder means, and

a reversing means for effecting a change in the direction of rotation of said output shah without efi'ecting a change in the direction of rotation of said motor spindle.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 in which said reversing means comprises a reversing shah operatively connected to the output shalt of said transmission means,

a gear connected to said reversing shaft,

a gear sector disposed in meshing relationship with said gear, said-sector being pivotally mounted for movement in one direction or the other, and

means operatively connected to said gear sector to effect a change in the direction thereof which in turn is transmitted to said reversing shaft.

6. The invention as defined in 5 wherein said latter means comprises a soleroid means having a reciprocating plunger means,

and means operatively connecting said gear sector to said plunger means whereby the reciprocation of said plunger means transmits rotary movement to said gear sector accordingly.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said soleroid means comprises a pair of counteracting soleroids having connected soleroid plunger,

an actuating pin connected to said soleroid plunger,

and said gear sector having a slot for accommodating said actuating pin.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 including means prohibiting rotation of said output shaft to define a neutral position.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said latter means comprises a switch means, and a cam actuator mounted on said gear sector to effect actuation of said switch means.

10. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said core driver and holder means comprises a support on which a core is held during a core winding operation,

positioning means for rotatably supporting said core in position on said support,

said positioning means including driver means adapted to engage said core,

and means for adjustably positioning said positioning means to accommodate a variety of varying core sizes.

I 1. A toroidal coil winding machine comprising:

a housing,

a winding shuttle means including a shuttle holder mounted on said housing, and a shuttle rotatably journalled on said shuttle holder,

a core driver and holder means mounted on said housing,

said core driver and holder means being adapted to rotatably support a toroidal core in interlinking rotation relationships relative to said shuttle,

drive means for effecting the drive of said shuttle and said core driver and holder means at relative speeds during a core winding operation whereby said core is rotated in a predetermined angular direction and speed relative to said shuttle,

wherein said drive means comprises:

a motor having an output spindle,

a shuttle driving means disposed in driving relationship to said shuttle connected in driving relationship to the output spindle of said motor to effect rotation of said shuttle when said motor is energized, and

a variable speed transmission means operatively interconnected in driving relationship between said output motor spindle and said core driver and holder means to control the direction and rotation of the core supported on said core driver and holder means relative to said shuttle,

said core driver and holder means comprising:

a support on which a core is held during a core winding operation,

positioning means for rotatably supporting said core in position on said support,

said position means including driver means adapted to engage said core,

and means for adjustably positioning said positioning means to accommodate a variety of varying core sizes,

said positioning means comprises a pair of arms pivotally mounted to said support, a driver roller rotatably journalled on each of said arms,

a pair of idler holding rollers, slide means for slidably mounting said pair of idler holding rollers on said support.

an actuating lever operatively connected to said arms and said idler roller slide means for effecting simultaneous displacement of said rollers to facilitate the positioning and removal of the core from said core driver and holder means.

and spring means for normally biasing said actuating lever for maintaining a core in position between said rollers and in frictional driving relationship with said drive rollers.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 and including means for driving each of said drive rollers.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive spindle,

and means coupling each of said drive rollers in driving relationship to said drive spindle.

M. The invention as defined in claim l3 wherein said coupling drive means includes a gear train operatively interconnecting each of said drive rollers in driving relationship with said drive spindle.

15. The invention as defined in claim 2 said transmission means including an output shaft and means coupling said core driver and holder means in driving relationship to the output shaft of said transmission means.

l6. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said coupling means comprises:

a driver connected in driving relationship to the output shaft of said transmission means,

a driver member for accommodating said core driver and holder means,

and a coupling member for connecting said driver member in driving connection with said driver.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and including:

means for connecting said driving member to said housing for limited translation relative to said driver,

and means for controlling the translation of said driving member and associated core driver and holder means relative to said housing for positioning said core relative to said shuttle during a coil winding operation.

18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said translation control means comprises:

a first lever pivotal] y mounted on said housing,

a second lever pivotally mounted on said housing,

a series of connecting links interconnecting one end of said first and second lever to said driving member whereby movement of said first lever effects translation of said driving member and associated core driver and holder means in one direction and movement of said second lever effects translation of said driving member and associated core holder in a direction normal to said one direction. 

1. A toroidal coil winding machine comprising: a housing, a winding shuttle means including a shuttle holder mounted on said housing, and a shuttle rotatably journalled on said shuttle holder, a core driver and holder means mounted on said housing, said core driver and holder means being adapted to rotatably support a toroidal core in interlinking rotational relationships relative to said shuttle, drive means for effecting the drive of said shuttle and said core driver and holder means at relative speeds during a core winding operation whereby said core is rotated in predetermined angular direction and speed relative to said shuttle, said shuttle holder including: a lower holder portion and a complementary upper holder portion, means for pivotally connecting said upper and lower holder portions for limited pivotal movement relative to one another, means for locking said holder portions against pivotal movement in the operative position thereof, means for rotatably supporting a substantially circular shuttle therebetween, and shuttle drive rollers supported on said shuttle holder disposed in driving relationship with said shuttle supported thereon, and said means for rotatably supporting said shuttle in said shuttle holder includes a guide roller mounted on said shuttle holder for engaging the internal peripheral portion of said shuttle.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises: a motor having an output spindle, and a variable speed transmission means operatively interconnected in driving relationship between said output motor spindle and said core driver and holder means to control the direction and rotation of the core supported on said core driver and holder means relative to said shuttle.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 and including means to reverse the direction of rotation of said core.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said transmission means includes an output shaft operatively connected in driving relationship to said core driver and holder means, and a reversing means for effecting a change in the direction of rotation of said output shaft without effecting a change in the direction of rotation of said motor spindle.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 in which said reversing means comprises a reversing shaft operatively connected to the output shaft of said transmission means, a gear connected to said reversing shaft, a gear sector disposed in meshing relationship with said gear, said sector being pivotally mounted for movement in one direction or the other, and means operatively connected to said gear sector to effect a change in the direction thereof which in turn is transmitted to said reversing shaft.
 6. The invention as defined in 5 wherein said latter means comprises a soleroid means having a reciprocating plunger meanS, and means operatively connecting said gear sector to said plunger means whereby the reciprocation of said plunger means transmits rotary movement to said gear sector accordingly.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said soleroid means comprises a pair of counteracting soleroids having connected soleroid plunger, an actuating pin connected to said soleroid plunger, and said gear sector having a slot for accommodating said actuating pin.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 6 including means prohibiting rotation of said output shaft to define a neutral position.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said latter means comprises a switch means, and a cam actuator mounted on said gear sector to effect actuation of said switch means.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said core driver and holder means comprises a support on which a core is held during a core winding operation, positioning means for rotatably supporting said core in position on said support, said positioning means including driver means adapted to engage said core, and means for adjustably positioning said positioning means to accommodate a variety of varying core sizes.
 11. A toroidal coil winding machine comprising: a housing, a winding shuttle means including a shuttle holder mounted on said housing, and a shuttle rotatably journalled on said shuttle holder, a core driver and holder means mounted on said housing, said core driver and holder means being adapted to rotatably support a toroidal core in interlinking rotation relationships relative to said shuttle, drive means for effecting the drive of said shuttle and said core driver and holder means at relative speeds during a core winding operation whereby said core is rotated in a predetermined angular direction and speed relative to said shuttle, wherein said drive means comprises: a motor having an output spindle, a shuttle driving means disposed in driving relationship to said shuttle connected in driving relationship to the output spindle of said motor to effect rotation of said shuttle when said motor is energized, and a variable speed transmission means operatively interconnected in driving relationship between said output motor spindle and said core driver and holder means to control the direction and rotation of the core supported on said core driver and holder means relative to said shuttle, said core driver and holder means comprising: a support on which a core is held during a core winding operation, positioning means for rotatably supporting said core in position on said support, said position means including driver means adapted to engage said core, and means for adjustably positioning said positioning means to accommodate a variety of varying core sizes, said positioning means comprises a pair of arms pivotally mounted to said support, a driver roller rotatably journalled on each of said arms, a pair of idler holding rollers, slide means for slidably mounting said pair of idler holding rollers on said support, an actuating lever operatively connected to said arms and said idler roller slide means for effecting simultaneous displacement of said rollers to facilitate the positioning and removal of the core from said core driver and holder means, and spring means for normally biasing said actuating lever for maintaining a core in position between said rollers and in frictional driving relationship with said drive rollers.
 12. The invention as defined in claim 11 and including means for driving each of said drive rollers.
 13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said drive means comprises: a drive spindle, and means coupling each of said drive rollers in driving relationship to said drive spindle.
 14. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said coupling drive means includes a gear train operatively inter-connecting each of sAid drive rollers in driving relationship with said drive spindle.
 15. The invention as defined in claim 2 said transmission means including an output shaft and means coupling said core driver and holder means in driving relationship to the output shaft of said transmission means.
 16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said coupling means comprises: a driver connected in driving relationship to the output shaft of said transmission means, a driver member for accommodating said core driver and holder means, and a coupling member for connecting said driver member in driving connection with said driver.
 17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and including: means for connecting said driving member to said housing for limited translation relative to said driver, and means for controlling the translation of said driving member and associated core driver and holder means relative to said housing for positioning said core relative to said shuttle during a coil winding operation.
 18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said translation control means comprises: a first lever pivotally mounted on said housing, a second lever pivotally mounted on said housing, a series of connecting links interconnecting one end of said first and second lever to said driving member whereby movement of said first lever effects translation of said driving member and associated core driver and holder means in one direction and movement of said second lever effects translation of said driving member and associated core holder in a direction normal to said one direction. 